utt of your lance the hat that covers this man's face--perhaps
he is only asleep?"

Benito obeyed the order, and tossed aside the hat without dismounting;
but the man stretched on the ground did not appear to know what had been
done--at least he made not the slightest movement.

When the hat was removed, however, the darkness, which had suddenly
increased, rendered it impossible to distinguish his features.

"Although it is not exactly your speciality, Senor Cuchillo," said Don
Estevan, addressing himself to the outlaw, "if you will do an act of
humanity in trying to save the life of this poor devil, you shall have
half an ounce of gold if you succeed."

"Cospita! Senor Don Estevan," cried Cuchillo, "you surely mistake my
character. I am the most humane of mortals--that is," continued he in
an undertone, "when it is my interest to be so. You may ride forward
then; and it will not be my fault, if I don't bring this poor fellow
safe to our halting-place at La Poza."

In saying these words Cuchillo dismounted, and laying his hands upon the
neck of his horse, cried out:

"Now, good Tordilla, don't budge an inch from this spot till I call for
you."

The animal, pawing the sand, and champing his bit, appeared to
comprehend the words of his master, and remained in the place where he
had been left.

"Shall we leave one of the servants to assist you?" inquired the
Senator, as they were riding off.

"No, thank you, Senor Don Vicente," responded Cuchillo, fearing that if
any one was left he might expect some share in the promised _demi-onza_;
"it will not be necessary."

And the cavalcade riding off, left the outlaw alone with the recumbent
body.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

TIBURCIO ARELLANOS.

Cuchillo approaching the body, bent down to examine the features, and
see if there were any signs of life. At the first glance of that face
the outlaw trembled.

"Tiburcio Arellanos, as I live!" he involuntarily muttered.

It was, in truth, the adopted son of his victim whom he saw before him.

"Yes--there is no mistake--it is he! _Santa Virgen_! if not dead he's
not far off it," continued he, observing the mortal paleness of the
young man's countenance.

A hellish thought at this moment arose in the mind of the outlaw.
Perhaps the only man in all the world who shared with him that secret,
which he himself had purchased by the crime of murder, was there before
him--completely in his power. It only needed to finish him